Fire-Rated Angle Piece with Intumescent Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for creating fire-rated head-of-wall joints in buildings are time-consuming and expensive, and they require additional steps for installing fire-resistant materials after the framing process, which can lead to inefficiencies and vulnerabilities in fire protection.
Innovation Solution
A fire-rated angle piece, such as the Deflection Drift Angle (DDA), is designed to incorporate intumescent material on its surface, allowing it to be installed during the framing process, eliminating the need for post-installation fire sealing and providing a sacrificial layer for fire protection, which can be easily shipped and installed before or after the header track.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods are used to create fire-rated head-of-wall joints by stuffing mineral wool and spraying elastomeric material, then fire protection is provided, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fire-blocking function and the structural support function into a single integrated angle piece. The angle piece incorporates fire-retardant material within its structure, eliminating the need for separate mineral wool stuffing and elastomeric spraying steps. This merging of functions directly reduces installation time and complexity while maintaining fire protection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire-retardant material is pre-integrated into the angle piece during manufacturing, rather than being applied separately during installation. This preliminary action ensures fire protection is built-in from the start, eliminating post-framing fire sealing steps and reducing overall installation time without compromising fire safety.
2Reliability
If conventional methods are used to create fire-rated head-of-wall joints with multiple steps, then fire protection is achieved, but the construction process becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The angle piece integrates multiple functions (structural support, fire blocking, and fire retardation) into a single component. This eliminates the need for multiple separate materials and installation steps, directly reducing construction process complexity while maintaining reliable fire protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The angle piece serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it provides structural support for the header track, creates the fire-rated barrier, and incorporates fire-retardant material for enhanced fire protection. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the overall construction process.
3Reliability
If fire-resistant materials are installed after the framing process, then fire protection is provided, but additional steps and vulnerabilities are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fire-retardant material is incorporated into the angle piece during manufacturing, allowing the fire protection system to be installed simultaneously with the framing process. This eliminates additional post-framing steps and reduces vulnerabilities associated with separate installation phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire protection function is merged with the structural framing component, allowing both to be installed in a single integrated process rather than as separate sequential steps. This improves installation efficiency while maintaining fire protection reliability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If header tracks allow wall stud movement for seismic accommodation, then building stability is maintained, but fire-rated joints become dynamic and harder to seal
Solution Approach 1:
The angle piece is designed to accommodate dynamic movement between the wall studs and header track while maintaining its fire-blocking function. The integrated design allows the angle piece to move with the framing components during seismic events, preserving both movement accommodation and fire rating integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire-blocking function is integrated into the structural angle piece that is part of the dynamic framing system. This ensures that fire protection moves with the framing components during seismic events, maintaining fire rating integrity while accommodating necessary movement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The DDA piece simplifies the installation process, reduces costs, and enhances fire protection by creating a barrier against smoke and heat transfer between the wall and ceiling, maintaining structural integrity during seismic movements and fires.
Implementation Method 1
Intumescent materials work well for this purpose, because they swell and char when exposed to flames helping to create a barrier to the fire, heat, and/or smoke.
Data Source
AI summary
A fire-resistance angle piece and related assemblies include at least one multi-layer portion, which can provide an insulation space and/or a sacrificial layer of the angle piece. The angle piece can comprise vent openings to a space between adjacent layers of the angle piece. In some configurations, adjacent layers of the angle piece can be sealed to one another, such as along an edge portion that can be opposite the vent openings (if present) and/or a fold of the angle piece or other closed end that creates adjacent layers. Intumescent may or may not be included on the angle piece.